Global Citizen will continue its mission to end extreme poverty and honor the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth with 2018 Global Citizen Mandela 100 Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa on Dec. 2. Beyonce’, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay frontman Chris Martinlead the star-studded performance lineup. Martin and South African rapper and poet Sho Madjozi announced the festival earlier today (July 9) on YouTube. (Watch them in the video above).

Late, great South African president Nelson Mandela issued a challenge to “be the generation” to end extreme poverty and festival performers will hit the stage at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg in an effort to encourage people all over the to heed the renowned leader’s critical call. Cassper Nyovest, Eddie Vedder, Femi Kuti, Pharrell Williams, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher, and Wizkid will also perform. Artists and leaders will also reportedly be joined by 100,000 Global Citizens who have actively supported the Global Citizen social advocacy platform and earned free tickets to the festival.

Oscar-winning actress, Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree and global philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey is slated to deliver a speech at the festival. “Nelson Mandela's life story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and one man's ability to change the world by standing up for what he believed in,” Winfrey said in a press statement. “It is one of the great honors of my life to have spent so much time with him, and I look forward to celebrating his courageous life.”

Many world and corporate leaders, foreign dignitaries, activists, actors, artists and more will unite to support the ongoing fight to eradicate poverty. More than $37.9 billion in commitments and policy announcements have been generated to help over 2.25 billion people since Global Citizen’s founding in 2012. The organization’s Be the Generation campaign will focus support on six of the 17 Global Goals: End poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation and life below water.

The 2018 Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100 is being presented by Motsepe Foundation. Find out more about ways to support Global Citizen efforts and earn free tickets to the 2018 Mandela 100 festival by visiting Global Citizen’s website.

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